Raymond L. Hudlik (1920-2020)

HUDLIK, BENHART, SCHWARTZ

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:30

Raymond Louis Hudlik, 100, of rural Calamus, died peacefully, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at Maggie’s House in DeWitt.

A private graveside service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery with grandchildren as honorary pallbearers.

Raymond was born April 21, 1920 at home, at rural Oxford Junction, to Mary (Benhart) and Frank Hudlik. He graduated from Oxford Junction High School in 1938. He proudly served his country during World War II from 1942-1945. Having enlisted into the Army, he was selected into the Signal Corps, becoming a Morse code radio operator, transferring to different branches as needed, Army, Navy and Air Force. He was stationed in North Africa, the island of Corsica in France, and Italy. He was united in marriage to Joyce Schwartz on Feb. 21, 1948, in Immanuel Lutheran Church at Grand Mound where they were lifelong members. The couple were happily married for 63 years, farming at rural Calamus, where they raised their family. Ray and Joyce drove school bus for over 20 years for the Calamus School District.

Ray was a gifted musician, playing the piano accordion and harmonica. You would see him pounding the beat with one foot, swaying with the tune and singing the song! Joyce and Ray met on the dance floor and danced the rest of their lives together at local and family dances. His favorites dances were the polka, two-step and waltz. He passed on his passion for music and dancing to his family. He enjoyed Big Band music, having danced to the live orchestras of Glenn Miller and Lawrence Welk. Ray loved so many things about farming, the equipment, working outdoors and being his own business owner. He farmed 46 years south of Calamus, starting with an International M tractor, International two-row planter and John Deere two-row harrow. His first car was a Model T, his pride and joy. Ray was an avid hunter and trapper from an early age, hunting everything from raccoon to pheasant to deer. He always enjoyed the first weekend of hunting season on the farm with a family deer hunt, followed by family gatherings. His favorite dessert was the Bohemian fruit filled kolache or a piece of warm homemade pie with a dip of ice cream. Joyce and Ray enjoyed traveling the world from Australia to Europe, usually always finding people to share stories.

Surviving are his daughters and spouses, Cheryl Jebsen of Parker, Colorado, Sue (Pat) Regan of Donahue, Linnea (Howard) Green of Greenfield, Indiana, and Jill (Mike) Selby of Delmar; grandchildren, Kelly (Dave) Misuraca, Stephaine (Nate) Salazar, Holly (Charles) Matoesian, Tracy (Greg) Brinkmeyer, Matthew (Ashley) Green, Rodney (Jody) Green, Luke Green, Adam (Jena) Green, and Chad (Heather) Selby; great-grandchildren, Isla Misuraca, Jackson and Colton Salazar, Cole and Drew Brinkmeyer, Taia Green, Adeline and Everett Green, Eleanor Rippy, Hadley and Ayven Selby; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Schwartz of Williamsburg, Donna Schwartz of Marion, and Judy Mumm of Davenport; nieces and nephews.

Preceding Ray in death were his wife Joyce, an infant son Brian, a grandson Cory Selby, son-in-law Gary Jebsen, his parents and siblings.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be given to The Cory Selby $10 Challenge or Immanuel Lutheran Church Rickman Mission Fund.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.